Great view from the new tower in Stuivekenskerke

The new watchtower in cedar and metal already has a nickname, “the cork”. From the tower, which is six and a half meters high, you have a fantastic view of the landscape and the many birds, often special species.

Evy Dewulf of the Agency for Nature and Forests: “In the spring you have a whinchat that comes here, the turtle doves breed, a rare species throughout Flanders. It is a hotspot in the polder in Diksmuide and the surrounding area.”

New walking loop not through nature reserve

The black ibis is also a guest here. The tower is a design by Natuur en Bos and costs 110,000 euros. Natuur en Bos has carried out various works here in recent years.

“The management plan for the Viconia clay pits in Stuivekenskerke was approved in 2018. In 2019 we did a lot of excavation work so that we have a lot of puddles and wetlands and can offer many more birds opportunities in this area in both summer and winter.”

There is also a new walking loop. To protect nature, it no longer crosses the area. But that is richly compensated by the view from the new watchtower.